Belle Isle vision: Restaurants, camping ... a hotel?

**Detroitnerd** · May-18-15, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by ferndalien

Take a deep breath, folks:

"The president of the Belle Isle Conservancy says it has NO plans for a hotel on the island. The group is clarifying a report in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press, which suggested that a hotel is one of several ideas being considered to draw more people to Belle Isle. Conservancy President Michelle Hodges tells WDET’s Pat Batcheller the group doesn’t advocate any development that might ruin the island for visitors."

from:http://wdet.org/posts/2015/05/18/805...s-for-a-hotel/

Hahahaha. Somebody effed up here, whether it was Riley or the nonprofit head or what. You don't start a puff piece with dreams of a hotel unless there are serious dreams of a hotel.

Every 10 years, somebody comes up with a plan to plop down some imposing piece of single-purpose architecture on the island.

http://archive.freep.com/article/200...ter-Belle-Isle

As they say, never believe any plan until it's officially denied. You can bet your sweet ass they can't wait to set up an unaccountable "public-private partnership" and try to set up franchises on the island, including a luxury hotel. The idea is that parks are stupid. They don't create revenue. But a park that's connected to a luxury hotel would create revenue, just enough to where the little people could come on the island during the day and enjoy a little recreation. At least until they're deemed "nuisances." Or if some billionaire needs the park for a day, a week, or a month.

Same old stuff ...

**spower03** · May-19-15, 08:42 AM

Belle Isle needs a big entertainment district filled with bars, stores, and restaurants. Detroit needs to think differently with the island. This plan could also go along with the proposed water taxis to Hart Plaza and the RenCen.

**MSUguy** · May-19-15, 09:08 AM

I'm not sure why panties are in twist the over the idea of hotel, I think it's great location for a boutique property. I find the Grand Prix is far far more inappropriate for a park setting.

**southen** · May-19-15, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by spower03

Belle Isle needs a big entertainment district filled with bars, stores, and restaurants. Detroit needs to think differently with the island. This plan could also go along with the proposed water taxis to Hart Plaza and the RenCen.

You are kidding, right?

**esteban** · May-19-15, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by ferndalien

Take a deep breath, folks:

"The president of the Belle Isle Conservancy says it has NO plans for a hotel on the island

Thanks for the update!

**Bham1982** · May-19-15, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by spower03

Belle Isle needs a big entertainment district filled with bars, stores, and restaurants. Detroit needs to think differently with the island. This plan could also go along with the proposed water taxis to Hart Plaza and the RenCen.

Brilliant idea. Why was Olmsted messing around with scenic landscapes when he could have just added a Buffalo Wild Wings?

**Detroitnerd** · May-19-15, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by ferndalien

Take a deep breath, folks:

"The president of the Belle Isle Conservancy says it has NO plans for a hotel on the island. The group is clarifying a report in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press, which suggested that a hotel is one of several ideas being considered to draw more people to Belle Isle. Conservancy President Michelle Hodges tells WDET’s Pat Batcheller the group doesn’t advocate any development that might ruin the island for visitors."

Right. She can just totally envision a hotel as part of turning Belle Isle into a snazzy and exclusive enclave of high-end eateries and posh shops. OK. There is "no plan."

**Wesley Mouch** · May-19-15, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by stromberg2

Check out NYC's Central Park page.

You beat me to it!

Parks should not become commerical districts, but there are plenty of examples where you can mix in commerce.

National Parks have long had hotels to lure visitors. They don't destroy the park in any way. They are done nicely.

A hotel on Belle Isle is a fantastic idea. You want Detroit to be a world-class destination? This kind of idea could do wonders for Detroit -- and make the park relevant to a wider audience -- without destroying the serenity.

Central Park is a fine model.

**DetroiterOnTheWestCoast** · May-19-15, 03:49 PM

IF a hotel is ever actually proposed, I would guess that it would be "boutique" in nature and not a casino-like behemoth. Perhaps using an existing structure. Would that really be so bad? Its all so hypothetical at this point anyway.

**Hypestyles** · May-19-15, 04:19 PM

is the kayak/boating club area going to be renovated?

**Honky Tonk** · May-19-15, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Hypestyles

is the kayak/boating club area going to be renovated?

What kayak/boating club area?

**Bham1982** · May-19-15, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

Y
Central Park is a fine model.

Then time to drop all the suggestions. There are no hotels or major commercial intrusions in Central Park. There's no camping. There are only two restaurants, one is a seasonal cafe, the other would never be approved if proposed today, and has been massively downsized anyways.

**night-timer** · May-19-15, 09:37 PM

First put a fence around it to prevent illegals coming in from Canada by canoe.

**archfan** · May-20-15, 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

A hotel on Belle Isle is a fantastic idea. You want Detroit to be a world-class destination? This kind of idea could do wonders for Detroit -- and make the park relevant to a wider audience -- without destroying the serenity.

A hotel the night before a big convention [[or race) is anything but serene. And while Belle Isle is big enough I wouldn't want to mow it, it isn't so big that the rest of the park wouldn't be affected by that level of confusion.

**esteban** · May-20-15, 10:45 AM

Polling on our "Belle Isle Aquarium, Friends of" Facebook site, as of today the figures are:

Name: 1 Belle Isle Aquarium Friends of....png
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